CARSON CITY — Reno singer and Nevada Arts Council fellow Chari Boom Brap, also known as Chariell Smith, will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 15 at the Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. in Reno. The free event is billed as an evening of rhythmic storytelling with a group of musicians and poets backed by a three-piece band.
Boom Brap is an emcee, singer and social activist who has many songwriting and production credits. She has independently produced nine award-winning albums over the last five years. She previously performed in Knowledge Lives Forever, a six-piece hip-hop ensemble. When she’s not on stage or in the studio, Boom Brap spends time working for nonprofit groups and volunteering. Samples of her work are at www.reverbnation.com/chariboombrap.
Programming for the event is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The NAC promotes a breadth of arts programs in communities through its Artist Fellowship Program. Each year, recipients of fellowship grants present free events ranging from performances to exhibits to lectures.
The Artist Fellowship Program was created in 1988 by the NAC to encourage the pursuit of artistic excellence by providing financial support to Nevada artists. The 12-month fellowships provide artists with time, materials and living expenses, and may be awarded to artists at any stage of their career development. Since the program’s inception, NAC has recognized the work of 167 actors, dancers, choreographers, composers, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, playwrights, poets, sculptors, theater directors, visual artists and writers. By acknowledging outstanding artists, the program promotes public awareness and appreciation of the role of the artist in society.
The Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, is the agency charged with ensuring that state and national funds support cultural activity and encourage participation in the arts throughout Nevada. In addition to providing hundreds of grants to arts- and community-based organizations, schools, artists and local municipalities throughout the state, NAC coordinates a variety of statewide programs and activities such as the annual Poetry Out Loud recitation competition for high school-aged students, traveling exhibits, artist residencies, workshops and cultural assessments. For information, call 775-687-6680 or visit the NAC website, nac.nevadaculture.org.
